05.12.2017

Europe must unite to face down populism

Portuguese prime minister and PES president Sergei Stanishev delivered closing speeches after two days of productive discussions in Lisbon.

Speeches from Mr Costa and Mr Stanishev underlined the close relationship between PS Portugal and progressive parties from across Europe, and the determination of socialists and social democrats to deliver solidarity and social justice for the people of Europe.

More than 500 Council […]

05.12.2017

United PES parties endorse common candidate and commit to progressive alternative for Europe

The Party of European Socialists has voted overwhelmingly to choose a common lead candidate for president of the European Commission in the 2019 European elections.

Delegates at the 2017 PES Council debated and adopted a resolution not only reaffirming their commitment to the Spitzenkandidat process — an initiative first proposed by the PES and subsequently adopted by all European parties for […]

23.11.2017

PES leaders from the Western Balkans discuss integration

Progressive Parties and foundations from the PES family in the Balkan region have discussed the challenges of further Balkan integration on the path of EU accession, on Saturday, at the Western Balkan Summit in Sarajevo.

PES delegation, with president Sergei Stanishev and Deputy Secretary General for International Affairs Giacomo Filibeck, attended the meeting and expressed support for further regional integration to […]

24.10.2017

PES welcomes agreement on European social pillar

The Party of European Socialists warmly welcomes today’s agreement among EU governments, MEPs and the European Commission to proclaim a European Pillar of Social Rights before the end of 2017 – something that has been at the top of our agenda for years.

The 20 policy priorities for the EU, which correspond to many of the PES’s own priorities, include:

– […]

12.10.2017

Reinventing the European economy

High-level party representatives, ministers, MEPs and members of national parliaments from the PES political family, trade unions and the civil society will discuss how to make globalisation work for everyone in a conference in Brussels on 12 October. Influential academics such as economist Jeffrey Sachs will participate.

Ahead of the conference, PES president and host Sergei Stanishev said:

“We must make sure […]

20.07.2017

PES cohesion conference: Solidarity is a guarantee for EU future

Europe’s social democrats call for a strengthened cohesion policy post-2020, focused on decent jobs, clean environment, investment in human capital and new technologies, a packed hall of conference delegates heard today.

Some 150 delegates, plus online participants, discussed leading contributions from European Commissioners Corina Creţu and Maroš Šefčovič, PES president Sergei Stanishev, Committee of the Regions first vice-president Karl-Heinz Lambertz, Slovakian […]

09.06.2017

PES: Conservatives & populists routed as UK Labour celebrates spectacular election result

UK voters have rejected both Conservative opportunism and right-wing populism in a shock election result that has increased Labour’s vote share and fatally undermined the credibility of current prime minister Theresa May.

The result demolished the existing Conservative government majority and saw Jeremy Corbyn’s Labour party win some 30 additional seats, making Labour a strong contender for government in the negotiations […]

29.04.2017

PES leaders stand firm on European and international challenges

Europe’s progressive governments will fight to protect the rights of EU and British citizens as a top priority in the negotiations on Brexit, leaders from the Party of European Socialists agreed today.

Socialist and social democrat prime ministers and presidents from across Europe met to agree common positions on the Brexit negotiation guidelines, as well as other challenges facing the EU, […]

29.03.2017

PES still hopes for fair Brexit, avoiding disaster

As a pro-European party, we deeply regret the decision of the UK to leave the European Union.

Commenting on the UK government’s plan to trigger Article 50 of the Lisbon Treaty, PES president Sergei Stanishev said:

“The months ahead will be challenging for Britain and for the EU. But progressive parties across Europe, linked by the Party of European Socialists, are […]

28.03.2017

PES leaders vow stronger, fairer and more social Europe

Progressive heads of state and government from across Europe are meeting on the eve of the Treaty of Rome anniversary to agree a common position on the European Union’s future.

The leaders are meeting in Rome on the invitation of Italian prime minister Paolo Gentiloni, to discuss current challenges, including securing stronger rights for European citizens, fighting social dumping, supporting young […]

16.03.2017

Stanishev establish a high level Working group to discuss the Junkers’ White Paper

In a strong declaration, the Presidency of the Party of the European Socialist highlighted the success of the EU, calling it “one of the most successful historical achievements for promoting democracy, cohesion, diversity and equality”.But they also warned that Europe needs to be revived and reoriented to tackle today’s challenges, including fighting populism and ensuring that globalisation does not lead […]

16.03.2017

PES and progressive parties from 80 countries to tackle inequalities worldwide

Joint action to shift the modern world towards social justice, progress, democracy and solidarity was the main goal at a world gathering of leaders and representatives from progressive parties and organisations.

The Progressive Alliance convention entitled ‘Shaping our future’ was held in Berlin on 12 and 13 March. PES member parties from the whole of Europe participated, together with socialist and […]

Sergei Stanishev on Macedonia

Sergei Stanishev at the Protest in Skopje, 17th of May